Identity theft, questioning sexuality, pickpocketing? and prog rock?

A man who impersonated Dream Theater drummer Mike Portnoy has been arrested in New York, the band?s web site claims. Not only did the unnamed man steal Portnoy?s identity using an uncanny knowledge of his band, his drum beats and his business contacts, but he also stole from people once he gained their confidence. One post on the band?s site claims that the faux Portnoy would hang out in bars and tell men he was ?questioning his sexuality? and uncovering memories of childhood sexual abuse. He would then go somewhere and ?get it on? with his victims ? then steal their wallets and whatever else he could grab, including house keys.

The real Portnoy is happily married, doesn?t drink, and works hard on producing ponderous two-CD sets of arty Pantera-inspired rock for the band, according to the official site. It?s interesting to see the different forms identity theft can take ? the imposter didn?t know Portnoy?s social security number or bank account number, but he still managed to do plenty of damage. And he showed just how slippery identity is these days ? how many people in New York now believe Portnoy is a gay kleptomaniac?